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All politics is local?

The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League maintains a nature sanctuary on Hayes Run in Marshall. The environmental organization presented a resolution in support of the Paris Climat Accords, which aldermen passed on a 4-1 vote.(Photo: Courtesy BREDL)

The international politics of climate change mixed with local issues including traffic management for the annual Christmas pageant inside Marshall Town Hall Oct. 16. Aldermen took action on the Paris Climate Accords during a monthly meeting that also featured an update with good and bad news on the town’s water infrastructure improvement plan.

Jesse Zeller-Davis, a super senior at Madison Early College High School and resident of the Shelton Laurel community, presented to aldermen a resolution standing in solidarity with the Paris Climate Accords. The resolution Zeller-Davis provided to Marshall aldermen came from the United States Conference of Mayors, which passed language in support of climate action in 2016. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, which aims to limit the rise in global temperatures, in June.

“Compared to large authorities, a bunch of local level action is more effective,” Zeller-Davis said, adding that 381 communities across the country have adopted the resolution.

Using a slide show highlighting the 1916 flooding of Marshall and the 2016 wildfires around Hot Springs, Zeller-Davis offered examples of how greater rainfall and increased wildfires could impact the local area. He said passing the resolution would offer Marshall’s leaders the opportunity “to show leadership at the local level against climate change.”

Zeller-Davis’s involvement in the campaign led by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, a regional, community-based environmental nonprofit, grew out of an assignment from his American government class to become more active in the community. “I thought about what I could do and this is what it turned into,” he said following the meeting. Louis Zeller, the student’s grandfather and the executive director of the nonprofit, also spoke to aldermen in support of the issue.

Alderman Billie Jean Haynie spoke in favor of the resolution immediately following the presentation. “This is something I am very passionate about,” she said. “Thank you bringing you for bringing it to our attention. Action begins on local level, just like you said.”

“I’ve not read the climate accord,” Alderman Aileen Payne said.

Mayor Jack Wallin moved to table the conversation on the issue until closed session. Laura Ponder Smith explained that conversation on the resolution would require input from Town Attorney Jamie Stokes.

After officials emerged from closed session, the town council voted 4-1 in favor of the resolution, with Payne voting against the measure.

Water infrastructure improvement project

Kyle Guie with Land of Sky shared with aldermen the latest on a $2 million project to replace old water lines and add two new wells to the town’s water system. Backed by Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the project was scheduled to break ground in the summer. Issues during the bidding process have delayed the start.

“The good news is on Oct. 3 we received three bids, so we don’t have to go out to bid again. The bad news is we’re over budget,” Guie said to aldermen.

According to Guie, low bids for the two separate jobs totaled $3.5 million. “Construction costs came in higher than anticipated, that’s why we’re over budget on the water lines,” he said. “The wells came in on budget.”

The contract on the new wells came in around $831,000, Guie said, leaving just under $1.2 million for water line replacements. An upcoming meeting, that had not been scheduled as of Oct. 16, with the project engineering firm, town water officials and aldermen would discuss what water lines should be prioritized with the remaining grant funds.

Christmas pageant

In a discussion future town events, aldermen discussed the possibility of moving the Christmas pageant to the stage on Blannahassett Island due to traffic concerns.

“No,” Wallin said in opposition to the possibility. “Absolutely, no.”

Deputy Town Clerk Michelle Massey explained that traffic concerns forced town officials and pageant organizers to consider the change in venue. Department of Transportation rules on road closures would allow cars entering Marshall from North Main Street to turn right onto Baileys Branch Road during the pageant, Massey said.

Marshall Police Chief Mike Boone said his department worked with motorists last year on the same issue. He said officers encouraged those who needed to get to the other side of the French Broad River during the pageant to travel to South Main Street. Once on that road, drivers could detour down Back Street to get to Marshall’s only bridge without disrupting the nativity play.

Aldermen moved to adopt the same practice of screening cars during the pageant so that the play could go on outside the courthouse.

“It is what it is,” Alderman Christiaan Ramsey said.

Gazebo dedication

Aldermen agreed to formally honor Luther Nix ahead of their next town meeting. A ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Pocket Park on South Main Street will formally dedicate a gazebo with a plaque recognizing the public service of the longtime aldermen. All are welcome to attend.

News and notes

Concern over cars parking on the grounds of the Pocket Park also brought action, with aldermen approving the installation of a no parking sign.

“Several people are asking why we are allowing vehicles to park there in the day,” Payne said. “If it is a park, I don’t know who is still using it for a parking area. It is not a parking lot. We need to put a sign up.”